Cartwheel Training Mat

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a mat, and more specifically to a cartwheel training mat for learning how to cartwheel and improving and practicing that skill. There is a cartwheel training mat including a mat with a centerline running longitudinally, wherein the centerline includes a material on which markers may be removably attached to the centerline to enable a user to learn where to place their hands and feet when performing a cartwheel. This mat may additionally includes a ruler running longitudinally. In a further embodiment, the cartwheel training mat includes a mat with four markers running longitudinally to enable a user to learn where to place their hands and feet when performing a cartwheel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Canadian Patent Application No. 3,070,144 filed Jan. 29, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise mat, and more specifically to an exercise mat for cartwheel training.

Description of Related Art

Exercise mats are used for various physical exercises, such as sit-ups and yoga, and may be rollable or foldable to facilitate storage and/or transportation.

Exercise mats have been adapted to make yoga easier to learn and do correctly, particularly yoga poses. Canadian Patent Application No. 2,905,944, entitled Exercise Mat, describes a mat with a plurality of targets each with a unique identifier, e.g. a number, to enable an instructor to instruct a student where to position feet and/or hands for a yoga pose. Canadian Patent No. 2, 658,993, entitled Exercise Mat, describes a mat with a curve-shaped design and strategically placed stitch markings to assist the user with proper alignment in yoga poses.

Cartwheels are an exercise which is difficult to master, sometimes due to disorientation and fear of failing, embarrassment or injury. To perform a typical cartwheel, the lead leg is slightly ahead in a lunge, then the hands reach down as the other leg is raised perpendicularly, then the hand on the same side as the lead leg touches the ground followed by the other hand while the lead leg pushes off from the ground so that the person is in a hand stand with the head upside down and legs forming a V, then the non-lead leg comes down first followed by the lead leg. If the lead leg is the left leg then the left hand will touch the ground first, followed by the right hand, the right leg, and then the left leg.

It is desirable to have a mat that makes cartwheeling easier to learn and to do correctly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of this invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with a centerline running longitudinally, and four markers that removably attach to the centerline. In a further embodiment of this invention, this mat may additionally comprise a ruler running longitudinally.

In a further embodiment of this invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with four markers positioned ten inches apart longitudinally.

In a further embodiment of this invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with four markers positioned twenty inches apart longitudinally.

In a further embodiment of this invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with a first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker positioned longitudinally in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 15 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 15 inches apart.

In a further embodiment of this invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with a first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker positioned longitudinally in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 20 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 20 inches apart.

The cartwheel training mats of the present invention may be made of non-slip material and may be rollable or foldable, and the markers may be a shape selected from the following group of shapes: circle, star, flower, hand, feet, face, crescent.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is use of the cartwheel training mats of the present invention to perform a cartwheel on. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a user attempts to perform a cartwheel by placing their hands one after the other on the first two markers and then each foot one after the other on the last two markers.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is use of the cartwheel training mats of the present invention to teach a user to perform a cartwheel on. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a user is instructed to perform a cartwheel by placing their hands one after the other on the first two markers and then each foot one after the other on the last two markers.

In a further embodiment of the invention there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a foldable mat which when unfolded has a centerline running longitudinally, and four markers that removably attach to the centerline, said mat comprising at least two sections foldable together and said centerline comprising a segment of centerline on each of the at least two sections, wherein when the mat is unfolded said segments of centerline align to form the centreline. In a further embodiment of this invention, this mat may additionally comprise a ruler running longitudinally, and the at least two sections are four sections. This mat may be made of non-slip material.

In a further embodiment there is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with a centerline running longitudinally, said centreline comprised of a material on which markers may be removably attached. In a further embodiment of this invention, this mat may additionally comprise a ruler running longitudinally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the brief description of the drawings and the following detailed description in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Cartwheel Training Mat of the present invention showing a first setting.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Cartwheel Training Mat of the present invention showing a second setting.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Cartwheel Training Mat of the present invention showing a third setting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Cartwheel Training Mat of the present invention showing a fourth setting.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Cartwheel Training Mat of the present invention showing a fourth setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with four markers running longitudinally and positioned to enable a user to learn and improve where to place their hands and feet when performing a cartwheel.

As shown in FIG. 1, there is a Cartwheel Training Mat (10) showing a first setting for executing a cartwheel, comprising a mat (20), centerline (30), markers (40) and ruler (50) with measurements (60). As shown in FIG. 2 there is a Cartwheel Training Mat (10) showing a second setting for executing a cartwheel.

The mat (20) shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be a rollable neoprene material. In this embodiment, the mat is about 70 inches long and the ruler (50) is printed along a longitudinal edge with measurements (60) of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 inches. There is a centerline (30) comprised of a lengthwise strip in the centre of the mat (20) on which the markers (40) may be removably placed. For example, Velcro® may be used for the centreline and markers, or another material that keeps the markers in place when a cartwheel is performed but allows the markers to be moved along the centreline. The centreline and/or ruler may extend from one end of the mat (20) until the other end or there may be some open space left at either or both ends (e.g. five inches of open space). The ruler (50) may run along the edge of the mat, be on the centreline or in any position in which it runs longitudinally and enables selective positioning of the markers (40) at specific measurements (60).

However, it will be understood that the cartwheel training mat of the present invention also describes a mat with a centreline and markers without a ruler since the markers may be positioned along the centreline without a ruler or with alternate methods of measurement e.g. smartphone measurement Apps or a hand held measuring tape.

In FIG. 1, the markers (40) are at a first setting of 0, 10, 20 and 30 inches and the markers (40) are shown as circles. The first setting is generally suitable for people 40 inches or less. It will be understood that the markers (40) may be any shape that is sufficiently visible in order to land the hands and feet in the proper positions, for example, shapes include circle, star, flower, hand, feet, face, crescent etc.

In FIG. 2, the markers (40) are at a second setting of 0, 15, 25 and 40 inches and the markers (40) are shown as smiley faces. The second setting is generally suitable for people 41 to 49 inches.

In FIG. 3, the markers (40) comprise hand shapes at 0 and 20 inches, and feet shapes at 30 and 50 inches to show where the hands and feet, respectively, should land when cartwheeling for a person of 50 to 59 inches.

The mat (20) may be a rollable/foldable mat of the type shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, or foldable as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment of the invention, the mat (20) is non-slip neoprene on top and bottom, and may have foam in between, for example of 2 cm thickness. The mat (20) of the present invention is ideally of a non-slip nature so that the mat doesn't move during cartwheeling. The mat may also provide some cushioning. However, the mat (20) may also be a simple plastic sheet that doesn't tear when used for cartwheeling. If the ruler (50) is used it will be straight in order to provide measurements, however, the mat itself could be of any shape although a rectangular shape is standardly used in the exercise mat industry.

As shown in FIG. 4, there is a Cartwheel Training Mat 10 with a mat 20 which is foldable at bends (80) and in the directions shown by the arrows (70) to be a quarter of the length for storage and transportation. The four sections of the mat (20) shown in FIG. 3 each have a separate segment of centreline so that the mat (20) may fold properly and so that when the mat is unfolded the segments of centreline on each section of mat line up to align to form a substantially single centreline. The Cartwheel Training Mats (10) shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 may be folded rather than rolled, but do not need separate segments of centreline.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a Cartwheel Training Mat (10) of the present invention with a fourth setting in which the markers are at 0, 20, 40 and 60 inches which is typically for a person of 60 inches or taller. The markers (40) are star shapes in FIG. 4 and flower shapes in FIG. 5.

As shown in Table 1 below, there are four settings that may be used for typical users of the mat; however, the centreline with markers that are movable allows the user to adjust to a custom spacing. These settings may be written on the mat (front or back) for easy reference.

TABLE 1 Mat Settings Height of Location of Setting User (inches) Markers (inches) First 40 and under 0, 10, 20, 30 Second 41 to 49 0, 15, 25, 40 Third 50 to 59 0, 20, 30, 50 Fourth 60 and over 0, 20, 40, 60

The settings enable a cartwheel exercise to be executed starting from either end of the mat (20). The first setting has four markers which are each 10 inches apart and, as such, a cartwheel exercise can be executed forwards and backwards. The second setting has four markers in which the first and second markers are 15 inches apart and the third and fourth markers are 15 inches apart, with 10 inches between the second and third marker, so again the direction of execution of a cartwheel exercise doesn't make a difference. The third setting has four markers in which the first and second markers are 20 inches apart and the third and fourth markers are 20 inches apart, with 10 inches between the second and third marker, so the direction of execution of a cartwheel exercise doesn't make a difference. The fourth setting has four markers which are each 20 inches apart and, as such, a cartwheel exercise can be executed forwards and backwards. Since FIG. 3 shows the third setting with hands and feet shapes (which markers may also be used for the other settings), the trainee may wish to start at the end of the mat with the hands until more confident in executing cartwheels.

The Cartwheel Training Mat shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be sold separately from the markers so that the preferred marker shape or design may be chosen. Multiple sets of markers may be chosen and used mixed or matched.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a further embodiment of the invention, there is no centreline and the markers are permanent. A ruler (50) may or may not be included since the markers (40) are permanently positioned. In this embodiment the mat is about 84 inches and the markers are positioned in a fourth setting. If a ruler (50) is included in a mat (20) with permanent markers (40), it can be used to identify and select the proper mat for the height of user.

The cartwheel training mat of the present invention is used to learn or improve a cartwheel exercise. The user sees the markers (40) before executing a cartwheel. The user attempts to place their hands one after the other on the first two markers and then the feet one after the other on the last two markers, in the order of hand, hand, foot, foot. The user may repeat this exercise repeatedly and may adjust the markers (40) on the centreline (30) or choose a mat with a different setting if using the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with the permanent markers.

While embodiments of the invention have been described in the detailed description, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with at least one line running longitudinally, and with four markers positioned at least ten inches apart longitudinally on said at least one line.
 2. The cartwheel training mat of claim 1, wherein there are two of said at least one line, wherein a first set of four markers are positioned ten inches apart longitudinally on the first of said two lines, and wherein a second set of four markers are positioned longitudinally on the second of said two lines in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 15 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 15 inches apart.
 3. The cartwheel training mat of claim 2, additionally comprising a third line running longitudinally, wherein a third set of four markers are positioned longitudinally on the third line in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 20 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 20 inches apart.
 4. The cartwheel training mat of claim 1, wherein the mat is made of non-slip material.
 5. The cartwheel training mat of claim 1, wherein the mat is rollable or foldable.
 6. The cartwheel training mat of claim 1, wherein the markers have a shape selected from the following group of shapes: circle, star, flower, hand, feet, face, crescent.
 7. A cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with four markers positioned at least ten inches apart longitudinally.
 8. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the four markers are positioned twenty inches apart longitudinally.
 9. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the four markers are positioned longitudinally in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 15 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 15 inches apart.
 10. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the four markers are positioned longitudinally in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are 20 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 20 inches apart.
 11. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the mat is made of non-slip material.
 12. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the mat is rollable or foldable.
 13. The cartwheel training mat of claim 7, wherein the markers have a shape selected from the following group of shapes: circle, star, flower, hand, feet, face, crescent.
 14. A method of teaching a user to perform a cartwheel on a surface, comprising the steps of instructing the user to: (a) place a first hand on a first marker located on the surface; (b) place a second hand on a second marker located on the surface; (c) place a first foot on a third marker located on the surface; and (d) place a second foot on a fourth marker located on the surface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said markers are positioned on the surface in equally spaced, aligned locations, in a direction running longitudinally away from the user.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the four markers are positioned at least ten inches apart longitudinally.
 17. The method of claim 14, comprising the step of providing a mat according to claim
 1. 18. A cartwheel training mat comprising a mat with at least one set of four markers that are positioned longitudinally in order of first marker, second marker, third marker and fourth marker, in which the first marker and second marker are from about 10 inches to about 20 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are from about 10 inches to about 20 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are from about 10 inches to about 20 inches.
 19. The cartwheel training mat of claim 18, wherein: there are two of said at least one set of four markers; the first of said two sets of markers are positioned ten inches apart; and the second of said two sets of markers are positioned such that the first marker and second marker are 15 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 15 inches apart.
 20. The cartwheel training mat of claim 18, wherein: there are three of said at least one set of four markers; the first of said three sets of markers are positioned ten inches apart; and the second of said three sets of markers are positioned such that the first marker and second marker are 15 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and the fourth marker are 15 inches apart; and the third of said three sets of markers are positioned such that the first marker and second marker are 20 inches apart, the second marker and the third marker are 10 inches apart and the third marker and fourth marker are 20 inches. 